Business & Sales Tax Licenses

Registrations are reviewed by a variety of city departments to ensure compliance with building, land use, taxation and other laws and regulations. Submit the registration with sufficient time for review and approval prior to the start of business. 

It is unlawful for any person to engage in business in the city without first obtaining the appropriate licenses.  NOTE:  The issuance of an account number does not mean the license to operate has been approved.

Commercial based businesses register their businesses and obtain a General Business/Sales and Use Tax License.  When submitted, the application will go through multiple steps before the approval is given to the City Clerk’s office to issue a license that allows your business to operate legally from a commercial location within the City of Westminster.  

Every business operating in a commercial building, within the city limits, is required to obtain this license.  

A separate license is required for each location in the city.

Certain Specialty Licenses may also apply.

 Businesses that want to sell liquor must have the appropriate Liquor License. 

Pet Shops require an additional license.   

Businesses with pool tables or coin operated game machines are required to obtain an Amusement Machine License and pay a $40 fee for each machine. 

Commercial businesses that also make catalog or internet sales must register to obtain a Sales Tax Only License and report all such sales separately from sales at locations within the city. 

There is no fee for this license.

Home-based businesses must register their business and answer the supplemental questions in the system when prompted. When the account is created, the application will go through multiple steps before the approval is given to the City Clerk’s office to issue a license that allows your business to operate legally from a home within the City of Westminster.  

A Home Occupation/Sales and Use Tax License is required for every business using a home within the city limits, for their business or as their business address. 

There is no fee for this license.  

SALES TAX ONLY LICENSE

If the business location is not within the city limits, but is leasing equipment or selling a product (including catalog and internet sales) within the city, a Sales Tax License is required.  

Create an online account and indicate that your Business is out of the City. When submitted, the application will go through a few steps before the approval is given to the City Clerk’s office to issue a license.

There is no fee for this license.  

NOTE: Contractors coming into the city generally do not need a Sales Tax License, but do need to register with the Building Division in order to pull a construction permit.

 SPECIALTY LICENSES

To change any information (such as location, phone number, mailing address, ownership, or to renew an existing license), please logon to your GenTax account. 

If you are accessing your account for the first time, please follow these instructions: 

• You should have received a postcard containing your new account number and a letter ID. You will need this information to create your web log on in the new system. If you did not receive this postcard, have questions, or need assistance setting up your account, contact the Sales Tax Division via email at  salestax@cityofwestminster.us or by phone at (303) 658.2065.
• To create your Web Logon:

VISIT THE GENTAX PORTAL

• From this page, select "Create Web Logon"
• Click “Yes” when it asks if you had a letter issued
• Enter your FEIN or 8-digit account number, which will be on your next postcard in October
• Enter your letter number
• Enter a contact phone number
• You will receive a confirmation email with a link allowing you to log in to the new system.

Once you have created your account initially, you may access it at any time to make changes to your account. 

To close an account, submit a request in writing to licensing@cityofwestminster.us. Please provide the account number, name of the business, the address and the date the business closed.If the business has moved out of the city, advise if a sales tax only license is still needed.

NO permit is required for door-to-door soliciting. However, the appropriate Sales Tax License is required for all local, home based or remote businesses selling goods or merchandise via door-to-door. 

It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or attempt to solicit or to invite or attempt to discuss, verbally or in written form, ideas and issues, or distribute written information, at any private residence which has been posted with a sign stating "no solicitations," "no trespass" or a sign with similar meaning.

Solicitors shall be allowed to solicit in residential areas between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.